5 Must Take Photos at the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park

It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the scale and grandeur of the park, especially when you visit for the first time. There are so many wonderful attractions that it’s easy to overlook some of the smaller, more secluded areas. Some of these spots offer fabulous, sweeping and unobstructed views of the bridge. You’ll also capture the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the immense Royal Gorge. If you’re trying to snag some stellar photos of these amazing sights, here are five great spots to set up your camera and capture the landscape.
There are plenty of amazing photo opportunities in the park, but please remember to observe warning signs and don’t climb around or over protective barriers that signify “off-limits” areas. We always have guest safety top of mind.

1. By far one of the best places to take photos at the park is from Point Sublime. Located on the south side of the park next to the Skycoaster, this historic landmark has offered visitors a grand view of the area for decades. From this point, you can capture the bridge, the gorge, the Arkansas River and the Sangre de Cristo mountain range. It is an awesome sight to see, and one that is great fun to catch any time of day. In the morning, the cliffs and bridge will be illuminated, and you have the best chance of being alone in the pavilion. However, as the sun sets over the mountains, photo opportunities are stunning as well.

2. Looking for an unobstructed view of the bridge? Walk down to the theater, past the picnic tables toward the perimeter fence. From here, you’ll get a fantastic view of the bridge, the gorge, and the entire Arkansas River Valley to the north. This particular spot is great in the morning or midday, as the sun is hitting the east-facing cliff faces and you can really capture the varied topography.

3. If it’s your first time on the bridge, you may be overwhelmed with the height and distance of the structure. Once you acclimate yourself to being 1,100 feet above the Arkansas River, don’t forget to look around! The bridge offers an array of opportunities to capture a unique or interesting perspective in photographs. Utilize the cables, the height, and even the spaces between the boards to create an interesting and abstract photograph.

4. Before you even enter the park, head toward the historic Denver and Rio Grande train engine and walk out onto the viewing platform. From here, you get a grand view of the gorge, the bridge, and the surrounding landscape. Then take a walk down the gravel path (watch your step) and wander around. You’ll find several great spots to snap a photo from various vantage points.

5. After you leave the Visitor Center and head toward the bridge, take a moment to find the old Incline overlook. The Incline may be gone (we’re working on a replacement attraction), but the overlook remains and permits a fabulous view of the mountains in the distance. This point provides some great foreground material, middle and distant points to create a dynamic shot. Try this point in the evening or on a cloudy day when the sun is setting over the mountains.